EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Fatemeh Fallah, an Eastern Michigan University doctoral student studying polymers and coatings technology was selected for the Best Technical Poster Award at the 36th Biennial Western Coatings Symposium and Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 15 - 18, 2023. This symposium provides opportunities for researchers nationwide to share their research outcomes and discuss future trends in the polymers and coating industry.

Fallah presented her research poster, “Thermally Cured Chrome-Free Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Sustainable Pretreatments for Aluminum Alloys.” This research, under the mentorship of Vijay Mannari, professor and director of Coatings Research Institute, focuses on the sustainable replacement of hazardous chromium compounds from coating compositions used to protect aluminum alloys used in many industrial applications, such as airplanes. 

“This award highlights the continued research leadership of EMU’s Coating Research Institute and our research group’s mission of providing cutting-edge sustainable solutions to the industry’s tough problems,” said Mannari. 

Fallah and Mannari have been working on reducing the environmental burden of coatings in currently used products without compromising their protective performance. A team of industry experts judged Fallah’s poster. The award included a plaque and a cash prize of $1,500.

“This was an incredible opportunity for me to showcase my research at this symposium, and I am thrilled to receive this award that gives national recognition to our research contributions,” said Fallah. 

For more information about the Coatings Research Institute and its research, visit the Coatings Research Institute website. 

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About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.